I am so thrilled to have Sarah M. Eden stopping by today! She is one of my favorite Romance authors!! I have all her books and am really looking forward to reading whatever she publishes next!

Author Interview

What made you want to write historical novels?

I have always loved learning about history, about the lives people lived, the events they experienced, how their time affected their world view. I’m fascinated by the expectations of cultures, eras, societies. History is, in a lot of ways, very different from the world we live in now. And yet the real draw for me has always been how much the same it is. Even across eras and oceans and centuries, people are very much the same. They had families, fell in love, had dreams and hopes, had their hearts broken. That is what draws me back to history again and again.

What are five things that you love about the Regency era in England?

The rules! I wouldn’t want to live under the rule set that governed Society in this era, but it is a fascinatingly complex set of strictures. I love delving into the whys and whens and hows of Society’s rules in this era.

The language! Though I don’t write an exact replication of Regency-era English, I love to read 19th Century text. It was so rich and beautiful. The humor was witty and subtle.

The dresses! I love empire-waist dresses, and not simply because they make short women like me look taller. I just think they’re so quietly elegant.

Houses with Names! Am I right?! I’ve always wanted a house with a name.

An era of transition. So much was in flux during the Regency era. The time of an all-powerful landed upper class was giving way to the earliest hints of the industrial revolution. War was transforming the continent and straining the British empire. France was trying to rewrite its own identity, while England was being pulled from the inside by its own identity crisis. America was a brand new, young country actively searching for its own place in the world. So many things were changing and twisting and turning. It’s fascinating.

I do love that houses had names. It seems like they took such pride in their land and homes and they really were these great heritages that were passed down. Why did you decide to write a novel (Longing for Home) about an Irishwomen trying to settle in Wyoming in the late 1800’s?

This is a book I have wanted to write for years. The idea first came to me while studying my own Irish ancestry and reading about the treatment of Irish immigrants in America in the mid 19th Century. The story grew and developed in my mind for years, waiting for me to grow into it as a writer. Finally, about three years ago, I knew I was ready to attempt such a complex and emotionally charged story.

I am really excited to read the sequel, titled Hope Springs, which is scheduled to come out on March 4th, and I have already heard great things about! What have you loved about this series?

The characters have challenged me at every turn. They are equal parts frustrating and endearing, with stories to tell that have just broken my heart. I hadn’t intended this to be a series, but the stories were simply too complicated to fit into one book.

I have to say that I didn't expect it to be a series, so it frustrated me at the end because I had to wait to finish the story. Lol! :) Do you have a favorite heroine and/or hero from your books?

I like different ones for different reasons. Adam (Seeking Persephone) is an absolute delight to write because he has no filter and is entirely unafraid to say exactly what he thinks. Corbin (As You Are) holds a special place in my heart. He is such an unlikely hero, not dashing or suave by any means, but so quietly, deeply good. Katie (Longing for Home, Hope Springs) is perhaps my favorite heroine. She is far from perfect, with more than her share of flaws, but she tries so hard to do the right thing and just wants to be a better person than she is. I love that about her

Do you have a favorite love story (from your books or another author’s)?

I actually do have one, but I can’t tell you what it is because I fully intend to use it in a future book. How’s that for a mysterious answer?

Ha! I don't know how I feel about that answer. It just means that I can't wait for you to use it! :) What types of books do you normally cuddle up to read at night?

Historical romance. I know you’re shocked.

They are one of my favorites, so I definitely don't blame you. What are three Romance novels you would recommend to everyone?

Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer. I absolutely love it.

Persuasion by Jane Austen. I have reread it dozens and dozens of times.

And the entire Anne of Green Gables series. I consider that set of books to be one big ol’ romance.

Great choices! Thanks so much for stopping by, Sarah, and for writing such fabulous books!

About the Author

Sarah M. Eden is the author of multiple historical romances, including Whitney Award finalistsSeeking Persephone (2008, Covenant Communications) and Courting Miss Lancaster(2010, Covenant Communications). Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances. She holds a Bachelor's degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah has twice served as the Master of Ceremonies for the LDStorymakers Writers Conference, acted as the Writer in Residence at the Northwest Writers Retreat and is one-third of the team at the AppendixPodcast.com. Sarah is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg at Foreword Literary Agency.

Sarah is really fabulous! If you haven't read any of her books and you enjoy Historical Romance, then I would definitely recommend you try one of hers!!

Giveaway

As part of featuring Sarah today, I'm also giving away one of her books.
- For US entrants, you can choose any of Sarah's books that are in stock from Amazon, or a Nook or Kindle copy.
- For INT entrants, you can choose Longing For Home or Hope Springs from the Book Depository (if they ship to you for free) or a Kindle or Nook copy of any of her books.

This giveaway is open to US residents and international residents if the Book Depository ships to you for free or you can download a Nook or Kindle ebook only. Please ensure that you correctly enter your email (and check your junk mail folder if I'm not on your contact list) so that I have a way to contact you. You can read my giveaway policy on my policies page. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

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About Tressa

Welcome to Wishful Endings! This is where I geek out about all things bookish (mostly YA, but also Romance, Christian Romance, LDS Romance, and occasionally other genres and hobby titles)! I always include content info in my reviews so you know what you're diving into. I enjoy helping publishers and authors promote their books as a tour host for Prism Book Tours. Outside of blogging, I'm a total Marvel geek, Austen lover, and enjoy hanging with the family (husband, four kiddos, and pup).

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